Featuring Caroline of Caroline Wilson Writes

Today please welcome Caroline, 

who blogs at Caroline Wilson Writes.

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What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?

Caroline Wilson Writes started out as a blog to chronicle my journey as a historical fiction writer. While I am still writing, I've recently turned my focus to reviewing books and featuring other historical fiction authors.

How long have you been blogging?

I started blogging in August of 2010 when I was looking for representation of my novel "Rebel Heart."

Tell us a bit about your book blog. What makes it unique?

I think because I am an author, it lends a special slant to my reviews. I understand what a historical author has to go through in terms of research. Taking the established facts of a particular time period and then working into a fictional narrative can be challenging.

What genres do you write about most, and why?

Historical fiction. I'm just caught in the past! I've been that way since a child. I certainly had my fair share of fairy tales growing up, but around age ten I became obsessed with the Old South (USA). I watched movies like "Gone With the End" and "Jezebel" and was even reading non-fiction about the roles of women in the Antebellum South.

What's your earliest memory of reading?

My grandfather used to read to me. I specifically remember "The Secret of the Seven Crows" by Wylly Folk St. John being a favorite. We used to vacation in Florida every summer, so he would either read to me or we would listen to books on tape.

What was the first book you read over and over, or the book you've reread the most?

I think I've read Jennifer Donnelly's "The Tea Rose" about ten times. I read in for the first time in college and was spellbound. It was exam time and so I need to be studying but I couldn't put it down. I think I read it in less than 48 hours and then re-read it once exams were over so I could focus on it better!

Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

It really doesn't matter to me.

What's your favorite place to read?

In bed or on my couch. I'm unimaginative like that.

Do you have any reading accessories you can't do without?

A cup of tea is nice. My cat Amelia (named for Amelia Bedelia). I now have to read with bifocals (yikes).

Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

constantly being cleaned out. I keep books based on whether or not I will read them again. So I take the ones that didn't impress me and trade them for credit at the local book swap.

My TBR pile is...

over a one hundred books long...and counting.

What's a book that's changed your life?

"Gramercy Park" by Paula Cohen. That was the first book that I ever threw across the room because the villain was so evil. I also cried. 

One book you like that no one else seems to, or vice versa?

I know I might start a riot, but "Harry Potter". I just don't get it.

To DNF or not to DNF?

I try to finish, but if it's a struggle I move on to something else. I try to go back to it at some point as being in a specific frame of mind can help the process especially with historical fiction.

What's one book that intimidates you?

"Moby Dick." I know it's a classic, but really? It's about a whale.

If you could go to any literary destination, where would you go?

Russia a la "Anna Karenina." How cool would that be?

How about non-book related hobbies? What do you do when you don't feel like reading?

I run or write. I just finished my first half marathon recently and I have several works-in-progress in various stages of completion.

What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?

Baz Luhrmann's adaption of "The Great Gatsby" is a more recent favorite. I'm not a huge DiCaprio fan but he was born to play Jay Gatsby. I love how Luhrmann captures the frenetic energy of the Roaring Twenties.

What are 3 of your must-read blogs?

Passages to the Past
Reading the Past
Madame Guillotine

What is your reading personality? (via quiz at http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/)

I am "The Eclectic Reader" apparently. It's not entirely true since I am pretty much wedded to historical fiction.

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Thank you for joining us today, Caroline! 

Remember to check out Carolines's blog, Caroline Wilson Writes, 

and leave a comment or question.